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2013 NFL Draft Winners: Vikings, Rams, Packers and More

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By , Tue, April 30, 2013

So the draft is over and the dust has settled. It was one of the more exciting drafts in recent history, to say the least. A lot of trading up and down and some picks that just came way out of left field made for three days of white knuckle television. For a look at some of the best draft performances in those exciting four days and who in my mind is a winner, take a look below.

Winners

Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings found a way to address nearly of all their needs and best of all they did so in the first round. Sharrif Floyd will be an excellent addition to their rotation on the defensive line, Xavier Rhodes will be a week 1 starter and Cordarrelle Patterson could very well become the next Julio Jones. Who needs picks in the second or third round when you have three in the first? Clearly not the Vikings.

St.Louis Rams: The question on everybody’s mind this offseason has been who exactly is Sam Bradford going to throw the ball to after the departure of Brandon Gibson and Danny Amendola in free agency. The trade up and subsequent pick of Tavon Austin with the eighth overall pick was a great start and the addition of Stedman Bailey in the third added even more stability at wide receiver. That they were also able to add Alec Ogletree in the first round makes this draft made their weekend nothing short of amazing. Even in the ultra competitive NFC West I have a hard time not considering the Rams as a threat for a Wild Card spot.

Green Bay Packers: After losing out on the Stephen Jackson sweepstakes I had to think they were going to target running backs in this year’s draft. That they were able to land the two best ones available in the second and fourth round is just great. The much anticipated addition of Datone Jones will also help the Packers get pressure on the quarterback without relying solely on Clay Mathews.

San Diego Chargers: With only 6 picks in this year’s draft, the Chargers somehow found a way to address nearly all their needs in a big way. The selection of D.J. Fluker with the 11th pick in the draft is just a little bit of a reach, but he was also the best tackle left on the board. Can’t complain about that pick too much. How Keenan Allen was still available in the third round is beyond me, but good on the Chargers for taking advantage of the situation.